We've been in Minneapolis on the corner of First Street North and Second Avenue North for almost 40 years. For the first five years, I had a wood stove business. I started the software business in 1981, just after I bought an old brick building at 125 N First St.
The building had originally been a saloon, then a small hotel. When I bought it, it had 17 small rooms on the third floor. Each was big enough for a bed, maybe a chest of drawers, and a coal stove. About 7 feet by 12 feet. I started JRiver (then James River Group) in one of these.
The second floor probably was originally the same, but since the building had become a brass foundry, the rooms had been removed and the floor was open.
The first floor was also open, but a lot of the windows were boarded up. There had once been an active saloon and kitchen there when the building had been a hotel.
Now, I've sold the building to a guy who has a vision and guts. Enough to do a $49 million dollar project. He owns most of our block now, having been patient enough to wait until each of the former owners realized that it was time to move on. I was the last.
Here's an article that appeared in today's Star Tribune, our local newspaper:
http://www.startribune.com/bergerud-plans-apartment-and-retail-project-in-north-loop/403044826/
